IFS and Neurodivergence Resources
This is a growing collection of resources exploring the use of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy with neurodivergent, neurodistinct, neurodifferent or neurosparkly systems. Whether you're a therapist, a client, or simply curious, these materials highlight how IFS can support self-understanding and healing in ways that honours diverse minds and experiences.
Talks and Podcasts
IFS and Autism with Sarah Bergenfield – Part 1 & Part 2
Sarah is speaking about the nature of autism (Episode Part 1) and (Episode Part 2) how IFS concepts and techniques can be understood through the lens of autism, how IFS therapy can be helpful for autistic clients, and some special considerations to keep in mind when working with autistic clients with IFS
IFS and Neuro-differences with Candice Christiansen and Meg Martinez
Meg Martinez and Candice Christiansen talking about their chapter in Altogether Us entitled, “Embodying IFS with Neurodivergent Clients: A Neuro-inclusive approach for therapists.”
IFS Talks: IFS and Neurodiversity with Yoav Bartov
Is it Trauma or Neurodivergence? With Dr. Irina Diyankova
Dr. Irina Diyankova, certified IFS therapist, IFS clinical consultant, and Lead Trainer with the IFS Institute explores the fascinating intersection of IFS and neurodivergence, a topic she knows intimately from both her lived and professional experience. She talks about time blindness, sensory sensitivities, what gets mistaken for trauma but might be hardwiring, and how IFS therapists can differentiate. They also get into self-accommodation, the limits of coping skills, and why healing through IFS is a lifelong journey.
Using the IFS Lens to Include the Autistic Experience in Therapeutic Spaces with Sarah Bergenfield
A look into the autistic brain and how you as an IFS-trained therapist can support clients on the spectrum. The IFS Model works beautifully with the autistic brain and allows clients to connect with and understand their parts. In this workshop, we will learn more about what autism is, how to recognize it and how to support clients who have been diagnosed and have unique needs. This workshop will also look at the implications of a lifetime of being undiagnosed, including the parts that get created around trying to live in a world that doesn't make sense.
Queering IFS - Episode 1 - Introducing Queering IFS
In this first video, Jude Carn and Alessio Rizzo, two Internal Family Systems (IFS) psychotherapists, introduce the topic of Queering IFS (Internal Family Systems) and use the lenses of queering, neuroqueering, queerness and neurodiversity to make IFS more accessible to marginalised identities, and to support therapists in being better allies, supporters and advocates for their diverse clients.
Queering IFS - Episode 2 - Neurodiversity is not parts!
Neurodiversity does not originate in parts, through the IFS lens. It is natural and innate to humans and includes the mind and the body. They talk about some of the main neurodivergences under the umbrella and do a deeper dive into why we have to see neurodivergence as the hardware of the system, not a 'part' that needs to be fixed in IFS terms. They distinguish between parts and the system, talking about their experiences and how we can support our parts to understand and accept neurodivergence, and how important is it to have a therapist that understands this too.
Using IFS and IFIO with Neurodivergent Couples
Neurology is an under-recognized and often overlooked factor in relationships. Couples in which one or both partners have traits of Autism often struggle to find practitioners who can understand and help. Traditional approaches to working with such couples have been behavioral and limited in nature, often assuming that these relationships are doomed or that only a neurotypical partner can adapt. Through the lens of neurodiversity, a movement to de-pathologize atypical neurological wiring, we will look at applications of IFS and IFIO (Intimacy from the Inside Out) to working with mixed-neurology couples. Experientials and videos will help to understand the challenges that such couples may face, as well as to open up space to explore therapist parts that may arise. Presented by Kim Bolling, Psy. D. at the IFS-I Annual Conference in 2021
"IFS therapy effectiveness for neurodivergent minds"-"Neuroqueering" Jude (Ellie) Carn
What IFS (Internal Family Systems/"parts" work) is and why it is so effective for neurodivergent minds, especially those with ADHD and autism. An overview and history of IFS then describes what the therapeutic process of parts work looks like. How traditional therapy models are often pathologizing and ableist. IFS is beneficial for neurodivergent people as it is empowering, playful, guided by the client, and creates space to "meet them where they at".
IFS and Neurodifferences Natasha Wilson
Researched and delivered by Natasha Wilson, an amalgamation of information from IFS talks and groups, as well as her experience as a therapist, neurofeedback practitioner and her lived experience.
Michel Fitos, AAC discusses “From shame to compassion: Internal Family Systems and ADHD”
https://add.org/tadd-2017-shame-compassion-internal-family-systems-adhd/
Blogs and Articles
Neuro-Inclusive IFS and Support Meg Martinez, Candice Christiansen
Why IFS is an excellent therapy for neurodivergent clients, as a neurodivergent therapist. Jude Carn
IFS for Neurodiversity Alessio Rizzo
Supporting Your Neurotype with Internal Family Systems Clarissa Harwell
Embracing Neurodiversity with Internal Family Systema Therapy Tandem Psychology
The Autistic Self – Reframing Ideas of Pathology Sarah Bergenfield
My Autistic Identity Crisis Sarah Bergenfield
How the IFS Model Explains Medical Mistrust in Women with Autism Dr. Tasha Oswald
Autism and IFS Therapy Rayne Satterfield
Autistic System Map & Common protectors in autistic internal systems Siana McGarvey
Would you ever work with an Autistic Therapist? Siana McGarvey
Some thoughts about the Autistic internal system and therapy Siana McGarvey
Masking or Camouflaging: An Autistic Self-Advocate Dialogue Sean M. Inderbitzen
Moxie, good chaos, and unusual connections: How to respect ADHD differences and use IFS in a neurodiversity-affirming way Sarah Ann Saeger
Understanding IFS Therapy for ADHD: A Comprehensive Guide to Inner Family Systems and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Neurolaunch editorial team
My Experience of Being AuDHD Jude Carn
Books
📘 Altogether Us: Integrating the IFS Model with Key Modalities, Communities, and Trends
Edited by: Jenna Riemersma and Richard Schwartz
Chapter: "Embodying IFS with Neurodivergent Clients: A Neuro-Inclusive Approach for Therapists" by Candice Christiansen and Meg Martinez-Dettamanti
This chapter offers practical insights into applying IFS with neurodivergent clients, emphasizing a neuro-inclusive therapeutic approach. 📘 Embodying Autism: Embrace Your Neurodivergence and Make Sense of Sensory Surplus with Internal Family Systems
Authors: Sarah Bergenfield & Martha Sweezy
This book delves into how IFS can be tailored to support autistic individuals, focusing on sensory experiences and embracing neurodivergence. 📘 An Autistic Anthology: Neuro-Narratives of Mental Health Professionals
Edited by: Nikita Shepherdson, Vicky Jervis, and Marianne Trent
Chapters: Includes narratives like “The world wasn’t built for us but here we are living in it” (Jude Carn) and “A Short Play: Navigating neurodiversity as a psychologist: A conversation about Unmasking at work with my parts,” (Emma Coyne) which discuss personal experiences of autistic professionals integrating IFS concepts.
Groups
Facebook Group: IFS Therapists/Practitioners Working With ADHDers & Autistics
This is list has been compiled by members of an IFS & ND Experience group.
WOW ... Thank you ... This is amazing.!
Thank you! Can the "members of an IFS & ND Experience group" above please share a IFS & ND practitioners directory so that folks can contact them if they are looking for therapy or coaching services?